Sunday, June 29, 2014

There have been a lot of happenings in the past month which raised questions in my mind. I am going to share
those with you.

Starting with Delhi University fiasco. To me it seemed that those having
differences about length of Graduation course had inflated EGO with no concern
about sufferings of young students. Going back to my time in school, Matric or
10th standard was the final examination of school education and it
was conducted by Punjab University. Thereafter a student joined college to do 2
years Intermediate and then 2 years Graduation. Thus one could be a Graduate in
total of 14 years in school and college. When I reached 9th
standard, school tenure was increased by 1 year making it Higher Secondary. Examinations
of both 10th and 11th were conducted by the university.
There was corresponding reduction in college education. One joined college for
1 year Prep after Higher Secondary and continued to 2 year course of
graduation. Thus to be a Graduate it still was 14 years of school and college
education. Then schooling was increased
to 10+ 2 ie making it 12 years of school education and in college it was made 3
years to graduate. So now one took 15 years of school and college to be a Graduate.
Latest increase of graduation to 4 years after schooling seems a little more
than needed. Also how can an ordinary college cater for B Tech or BMS education
which are specialized in engineering or administrative institutes?

There used to be only 1 university covering whole of Punjab which
included Haryana at that time as well as Himachal. Now I think there are half a
dozen universities covering the same area. And similarly universities have mushroomed
nationally also. It may be due to large number of students but still it seems
that there are too many universities without any concern about education
standards or co-ordination. I do strongly feel that though a university may
retain freedom in day to day functioning but there is positive need to have an agency
to ensure that all universities maintain same overall standard and norms of
education.

The stand off between BMC and residents of Campa Cola area buildings is
rather very intriguing. I am surprised that when these buildings were under
construction many years ago, BMC had found the builder was indulging in unauthorized
construction. He or the company was fined for that but what about after that?
How did he manage to continue with construction without having approved plans?
Not only that but the flats were sold out which could not have happened
overnight. How did the owners get water and electricity connections if the
buildings were unauthorized? Is it not mandatory to give details of building
approval for obtaining these connections?
My heart goes out to those occupying those flats for so many years but
it seems that most of them were aware at the time of purchasing that there was
dispute about sanction of building these. If we regularize these now, it will
encourage others to indulge in same practice. In my opinion the only way out is
to penalize the builder or his heirs by attaching all their assets to pay off
occupants and then demolish these buildings. Heir of that builder may include
his close relatives also, like siblings, nephews / nieces etc. That should set
an example for other unscrupulous builders.

There have been many building collapses resulting in loss of many lives as
well as injuring many more apart from loss of belonging and property. In most
cases it was due to construction of basements undertaken in the plots next to
those. Is it not common sense that if you expose foundation of any building it
definitely makes it prone to collapse? Are the persons who undertake
construction work not aware of this as they are supposed to be specialists? Why should those responsible to undertake such
constructions in the next plot not be tried for murder or attempt to murder?

Sunday, June 8, 2014

I have been contemplating to write for some time but could not make
myself brace up to sit down for longish time to do so. Today I decided to do it
as there are too many issues raising questions in my mind.

I am so aghast at statements made by some of our so called learned and
popular political leaders about rape. One says that rape is not done
intentionally but happens by mistake. Another says that boys will be boys while
yet another one says that no one goes out to rape but it happens by default. I
would love to know if they would make same statements if the victim is their
daughter or granddaughter or daughter in law? Why don’t they put their mind to
find how could we inculcate respect for girls in the minds of everyone instead
of opening their mouth making such statements?

I strongly condemn brutal killing of young man in Pune by persons who
took an offence to his posting caricature of their leader on his Facebook page
which they took as degrading. Not that I condone their action but does anyone
have right to make fun or degrade persons of prominence without any restriction?
Now why politicians and media are trying
to give it communal colour instead of sticking to the facts of the case? Those
who took this unwanted step of killing should be penalized by ensuring a speedy
trial but at the same time should we not educate people to respect other’s
feelings also?

I always respected lawyers as they represent system to ensure law is
abided by society but do they have right to take law into their hands? Some
time ago a lawyer who got into argument with guard at an educational institute
and he called up his colleagues. Together they not only beat that guard up but
ransacked the institute also. Another lawyer who is facing case of eve-teasing
made his colleagues threaten and beat up not only the complainant but her
lawyer also in the court complex where case was being heard. Should such
persons not be debarred from practice or even take up any job needing legal
qualifications?

In my opinion as a common man, Mr Modi did a right thing by inviting
leaders of SAARC on his swearing in ceremony as it would open doors for further
talks in congenial way to resolve irksome issues between two countries but then
why some persons lead by leaders with blinkers on protested this gesture? Is it
not behaving like small children that you did wrong to me or my friends so I am
KUTTI ( not on talking terms ) with you?

Talking about this also reminds me that why did one of the ministers
from an ally party refuse to take oath as he or his party leader was not happy
with the portfolio allotted? Is it that they wanted some portfolio which can
have opportunity of making some easy money? Or the allotted portfolio involved
hard work?

It seems that people who were defeated in elections have nothing better
to do than to point fingers at those in power now, otherwise what is the reason
of raising issues of educational qualification of any minister instead of
watching his or her performance? I think there are numerous examples of those
with very little education having excelled not only in politics but at business
also.

Last but not the least, last month I saw a lot of food thrown on
footpaths around places of worship. It seemed that some persons wanting to feed
the poor had set up stalls to distribute food there. Many persons including
small children collected the food so given but consumed only what they wanted
and threw away the rest. It is a shame to see such wastage which could have fed
at least hundreds needy hungry ones. In this respect I appreciate LANGAR held
at GURUDWARAs as people to be fed are made to sit in lines and volunteers serve
food to each one as per his or her need ensuring minimum wastage.

09:25:30 PM

About Me

63 years old grandfather who believes that children should be given their due. Have been more of a friend than father to my children and would keep the same for their children. Offer to show options to those youngsters who feel confused but they have to take their own decisions.
Kindly visit my other space too, if you find time at
o3.indiatimes.com/niceguy251